Draft-rigging for railway-cars.



v APPLICATION FILED MAY31, 1905.

3 E1 7 w r, d

No. 818,066. v v PATENTED APR.17, 190 r I J. WAUGH.

DRAFT RIGGINQ? FOR RAILWAY CARS.

I APPLIOATION I'ILED MAY 31, 1905.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ruins intros WAUGH, or cHicAeo', "ILLINOIS.

. DRAFT-'RIGGING FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

. nafislaoee.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented April 17,1906.

Application filed May 31,1905. Serial 1%. 263,185.

To 11,172,011?) it may concern:

Be'it known that I, J Aivins MILTON WAUGH, a citizcnof the UnitedStates, residingat'Chicage, in the county of Cook and Stateof Illi nois;have invented certain new and useful Iinproyements in Draft-Rigging forRailway- (lars; an d I do hereby decla'rethat thefollojwing is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference beinghad toftheaccompanying drawings} and .to' the letters of reference marlged.thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to coupling devices for railway-cars, and moreespecially to. the

connections between the draw-bar and draftsills, whereby a cushionedgraduated resist ance to shocks occurring in coupling due to varialilestrains in traction isobtained'.

Theinvention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended clalms.

} tion taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

. In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two practical forms inwhich the several features constituting my invention may be embodied,Figure 1' is a plan section taken horizontally through the central axisof the.

draw-bar, showing theendportions of the draft-sill, the draft-ironsthereon, the rear or inner portions of the draw-bar, and the partsconstituting my invention associated there with. Fig. 2 is a verticalsection of the same parts taken on line 2 2 of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is across-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1Q Fig.

4 is an enlarged detail cross-section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig.5 is a plan section corresponding generally with Fig. 1, showing-asomewhat different form of construction embodying my invention. Fig. 6is a cross-sec- As shown in the said drawings,

" A A indicate the end ortions ofthe draft-sills, which form part of. te floor-frameof the car,

and B designates a draw-bar which is located centrally between thedraft-sills and is pro-. vided witha yoke C, formed by means of a bar ofsteel bent between its ends into U form and having its parallel sideparts arran -er horizontally and parallel withfleach other with its endsoverlapping the-top and bar, to which it IS secure bottom surfaces ofthe inner end of the drawd means of vertical bolts 0 c.

l) D iffdicate draft-irons which are "secured draft-irons D D have theform of recessedor flanged plates secured by mortises and bolts of saidplates D isprovided with; an up of their places in Figs. 1 to 4,

to the'inner surface ofwthe draft-sills A; Each or horizontallongitudinal fiangeD and W t a lower horizontal longitudinal flange Dthe latter being formed by means of a separate bar removably secured tothe draft-iron by means of bolts (1 d, Fig. 2. Near their ends the said"draftiron's are provided with inwardly-extendin vertical ribs orflanges D 13; the inner faces of which form bearing faces or shoulders kd (1 Mounted'on the draft-irons between the flanges D D are uprightsliding spacingblocks E E, the opposite sides of which'formbearing-shoulders 0a, which face toward the bearing-shoulders'd d on thedraft-irons.

F F F indicate transverselyarranged spring-plates which pass through theyoke of the draw-bar, and the ends of whichextend into the recesses ofthe draft-irons formedby and between the flanges D D and the 'spac--ing-blocks E. Said springplates'ar'e arranged in foursets or groups, asindicated by F F F F4, ofwhich the sets F F may be calledfollower-plates and the sets F and F cushioning-plates? The set F offollower-1 plates is located in contact with the inner end of thedraw-bar D*,'the'set F of follower-plates is in contact with-the innerend of the yoke C,

and the sets F and F of-cushioning plates are located adjacent to eachotherand'are sepa-' rated at their ends by the said-'spacin'g blocks E Ewhich bear at their opposite sides against the ends of the said sets ofcushioning plates.

'e? being arranged to extend downwardly'between theinner margins of thelower removable plates D and the vertical walls of the draft-irons andthe horizontal lugs e extending horizontally outward from the lugs e'beneath the lower edges of the said vertical thus 'arrangedfs'erve tohold the blocks from sliding forwardly out ofplace and also from'tippingfo'rward at their upper ends; while at the same time permittingt e blocks to move freely in a direction endwise of the draft walls ofthe draft-irons; Said lugs e and e words, are made much thinner at theirends other part 9 as clearly seen in Fig.

than at their middle parts. As a means of supporting or holding in placethe said s acing-plates G G the latter are each ma e in two parts 9 gwhich are applied at opposite sides of and secured to supporting-platesg 9 the ends of which enter the recesses in the draft-irons and are heldor supported in position by engagement with the top and bottom flangesof the draft-irons in the same manner as are the springlates F. The spacing-plates G G -.are thus held in proper position with respect to thespring -plates at either .side thepeof, While at the same time they arefree to be moved or shifted in a direction endwise of the draft-irons.As shown in the accompanying drawings, the parts g g of thespacing-plates are joined with each other and connected with thesupportingplates by means of studs 9 g on the part g, which passesthrough holes in the supporting-plates and enter holes or sockets in the4. The sets F and F of spring fol ower-plates embrace or include agreater number of plates thanthe sets F F of cushioningplates or areotherwise so made as to afford greater resistance to bending orflexurethan to the cushioning-plates. The outer ends of the inner platesof the sets F F of cushioningplates, which are adjacent to thespacinglocks E E, are normally in contact with the said blocks, whichserve to prevent the ap-' proach of the outer ends of the said sets F F?toward each other. Theoouter ends of the external plates of the sets Fand F of follower-plates are likewise normally in bearing contact withthe ribs D D. In the operation of 'the parts thus described supposingthat inward pressure is brought upon the draw-bar B, such as occurs whenthe cars come forcibly together in coupling, said draw-bar B, with itsyoke C, are forced inwardly, and the inner end of the draw-bar, actingon the central part of the adj acent set F of the follower-plates,carries that set bodily inward and with itthe central part of the set Fof cushioning-plates, to which pressure is transmitted by the 6ospacing-plate G. In the preliminary inward 1 movement of the draw-barthe inner set F of the follower-plates is not shifted nor the platesthereof bent; but as the sets F F of cushioning-plates'have greaterflexibility than the sets F F of follower-plates and as the outer endsof the cushioning-plates will be held at the same distance apart by thes acing-blocks E E when the central parts 0 the plates in the set F arethrust inwardly the inward ressure of the outer ends of the plates 0 theset F will be transmitted to the outer ends of the plates of the set F,and as the two sets of cushioning-plates are of equal stiffness theywill be e ually flexed or bent, the outer ends of the p ates in the setF being bent toward the outer ends of the set F of follower-plates,while the outer ends of the plates in the set F of cushioning-plateswill be similarly bent toward the ends of the plates in the set F offollower-plates. This bending of the sets F F of cushioning-plates willcontinue until their end portions strike or come in contact with theouter ends of the sets F F of follower-plates, and further flexure ofthe cushioning-plates cannot then take place without the followerplatesin the set F being flexed inwardly or in the same direction as those ofthe set F of cushioningplates. Moreover, when the cushioningplates havecome in contact at their ends with the follower-plates they will come incontact with each other at their central parts, and further inwardmovement of the drawbar will be resisted by the set E of thefollower-plates, which latter if the pressure coming on the draw-bar beunusually great will finally be bent or flexed inwardly by the pressuretransmitted thereto through the central parts of the set F offollower-plates, the cushioning-plates, and the spacing-plates ,G and G.It will be seen, moreover, that as soon as the outer ends of thecushioningplates of the set F come, in contact with the ollower-platesof the set F and the ends of the set F of cushioning-plates aresimilarly Jorought in contact with the set F of foliower-plates then theinward mo yement of the outer ends of the follower lates in the set Pwill be resisted by solid a utments afforded by the outer ends of thesets F"F of cushioninglates, the spacing-blocks E, and the set F ofollower-plates.

It follows from the above that as the drawbar is forced inwardly itsinward movement will be resisted by the two sets F F of cush-'ioningplates, and that if the pressure or shock on the draw-bar isunusually eat the sets F F of follower-plates will iel or bend so thatagraduated and gradual y-increasing or cushioning resistance will beafforded to the inward movement of said draw-bar.

- The graduated cushioned resistance of the ing-blocks EE are in contactat both sides thereof with the ends of the sets F F of outward tensionexerted onthe draw-bar, ithe'yoke C in that case acting on the set F offollowerlates and serving to first flex the sets F F o cushioning-platesand then bring the sets F F of follower-plates jointly into action. I

In the modified construction shown in Figs.

5 and 6 the draft-sills A, draw-bar B, yoke o,

and draft-irons D D are arranged and con- ,structed in, the same manner-as before described;. but the spaces between the flanges D D of thedrait-iro'ns are longer than in the construction shown in Fig. 1. Inthis instance two sets of spacing-blocks H H and four sets of springcushioning-plates II are employed, the several sets of cushioning-platesbeing indicatedby I ,I, I and I In this instance, moreover, rigidfollower-platesJ J are arranged in contact with the inner end of thedraw-bar B and the yoke C and extend at their ends into the recesses ofthe 'jdra f-t irons of cushioning-plates.

into contact with the flanges D D. .More-' over, a spacing-'plate'K isinterposed between the follower-plate J and the outermost set I K isinterposed between the two intermedi-. ate sets of cushioning-plates I Iand a third spacing-plate K is interposed between the inner set ofcushioning-plates I and the follower-plate J. The spacing-blocks'H H andthe spacing-plates K K K correspond generally marrangement and functionwith thespacing-blocks E E and spacihg-plates G G (Shown in Fig. 1.) Inthis instance the spacing-plates K K K are, madein two parts .orhalvesfand are. attachedto supporting-- plates la 7: kcorrespondingwithfthe plates g g shown in Fig. 1. The .spacingblocks; HH inthis instance-are supported in .proper relative position and held inplace by being cushioning-plates are of e strength or attached to theends of transverse plates h h,

said plates h h servingto-holdtheblocks at a Y I proper distance apart,sothatsaidplates and cesses of the draft-irons in the same manner locksmaybe inserted in place within, the re as are the spring-plates. Thesets ,II of stiffness, being. composed of a c rresponding number of theindividual plates I I While the A like spacing-plate sets I I are alsoequal strength or stiffness but possess considerably greater stiffnessthan the sets I I In the particular con struction shown the sets I I-con'sist each of five plates of equal thickness, while the se s I Iconsist of sevenplatesfof equal thickness.

In the operation of the device shown in said Figs. 5 and 6 the twoweaker sets of cush- 'ioning-plates I I come into operation beforeandthis istrue in the movement of the draftbar in either direction. Thespacing-blocks H H are about twice the thickness of the spacing-plates Kand, K so that when the cushioning-plates are flexed sufiiciently tocome in contact at their ends with the follower-plates saidcushioning-plates will come in contact at their middle parts with theplates h h. The spacing-plate Kis twice as thick as the spacing-plates Kand K The operation of theseparts is as follows: When inward stress orpressure comes upon the draw-bar B, the outermost follower-plate J ismoved or carried inward from its normal movement pressure is transmittedfrom said follower-plate J by the spacin -plate K to the set I ofcushioning-plates and flexes the central parts of the plates of said setI inwardly, while pressure of the outer ends of said set I on themovable spacing-blocks H H brings equal pressure upon the outer ends ofthe set I so that bothsets I and I of cushioning-v plates are flexed toan. equal extent. The flexure or bending of'th'e sets I I continuesuntil the outer ends of the set I are brought into contact with theendsof the followerplate J. At the sametime thatithis occurs the middleportions'of the said sets-I I come in contactwith the plate It,connecting the spacing-blocks HH. After the plates of'said sets I I?have been flexed so far as to bring them to their maximum fiexure inwardpressure of the draw -bar will be.---transm 1tted through the centralportions of said setsI- I and the spacing-plates K K directly to the thelatter inwardly, andas said set I is so flexed'inwardly, the outer endsthereof, act-. ing on the outer ends of the-set I through the flex theset I to an extent corresponding with the fiexure of the set I.- Whenthe set I has been flexed to suclnan extent as to bring its ends intocontact with theends of the inner followenplate J and the sets IandIjhave been brought into contact at their middle partswith thesupporting-plate It, further flexure of any of the plates is prevented,and

will be'r sisted by the follower-plate J and by the sets I ofcushioning-pl ates, which latter sets of plates will aid in resistingfurther inward movement of the draw-bar, it being the stiffer sets ofplates I I are. bentor flexed position, andat the beginningof suchinward middle part of the set I in a directionto flex movablespacing-blocks H II, will bend or further inward movement of thedraw-bar" manifest that at this time their outer ends will be held fromshifting toward the inner ends of the draft-irons because the outer endsof the set I will be in contact with the outer ends of thefollower-plates J, the spacingblocks H H will be in contact with theouter ends of the set 1 the outer ends of the set 1 will be in contactwith the spacing-blocks H H, the outer ends of the set I will be incontact withthe outer, ends of the set 1 the spacing-blocks'H will be incontact with th y outer ends of the s'e t"I ,and the "outer ends of saidset I will bear directly on said spacing.- blocksHH. d When outwardstrain or stress comes upon the draw-bar in a direction to pull or drawthe same outwardly, the operation will be the same as abovedescribed,with the exception that the followe'r late J. will move in the re-'cess'es of the dra -irons. while the follower' plate J will rest in.contact with the flan 'es.

D D it being of course understood that y reason of the greaterflexibility of the sets 15 I of cushioning-plates the latter will'befirst bent or flexed n the preliminary movement of the draw-bar and thatthe fiexure of the sets I? I of cushioning-plates will not take placeuntil the sets I I have substantially reached the position of maximumbending or flexure. I

It is to be noted in connection with the I form of construction shown inFig. 5 that two sets of spring followerlates corresponding with thesetsF F of Fig. 1 may be substituted for the rigid follower-plates J J andwhen so substituted will operate in the same manner as do the said setsF F illustrated in Fig. 1.. It will, moreover, be apparent that" if setsof spring follower-plates corresponding with the plates F F besubstituted for the 'gid follower-plates J J in the construction shownin Fig. 5 then the eneral structure of cated, as in the constructionshown in Fig. 5.

' wise movement 0 Fig. 5 will correspond wit that of Fig. 1, with theexception that the two coactin sets of cushioning-plates, which are ofe'qua flexibility and are e ually and oppositely bent in operation, as aove described, will be dupli- In other words, two sets of springcushioning: plates corresponding-in operation with the two sets F F ofFi 1, but of greater strength or stiflness, is in t e construction shownin Fig. 5 added to. the two sets shown in Fig. 1 without any differencein o eration of the sets constituting each pair 0 sets, but with theresult of givin a greater capacity for'endthe draft-bar without'an undueextent of flexure in either of the sets of cushioning-plates. It willalso be manifest that the operation of the pairs of'li ke orcorre'sponding'sets of spring-plates'will-"be substantially the same,whether the members in contact with the inner end of the draw bar andthe inner end of the oke C have the form ofrigidttollower-plates, -'kethe plates J J, or

have the form of sets of spring-plates, like the sets F F shown in Fig.1.

A draft-rigging constructed as hereinbefore set forth has the advantagenot only of being exceedingly cheap to construct, easyto keep in repair,and much less liable to breakage than draft-rig ings in which coiledsprings are used, but ecause the effect of recoil is greater lessenedfor the reason that the bending or flexing of the sets of plates isaccompa. nied by 'thefrictional resistance due to the -s. li dingofpljatesi upon each other at their end 5 portions, frictional resistancenot only f tcnding'to retard the flexure of'the sets of plates stress isbrought thereon; but to also retar v the straightening movehe lates whenthe pressure is relefasedf'th shy preventin qulck or sudden recoiim,frrie nts of the raw-bar in either daemon J I claim as my invention 1The Giimbii afiion' with shouldered. draftdew-ha p ev de Witha y ke Weike a? spiess ushieninephie $1. ins iia i'nehlo ieterne eilhstween d incanes with, time of; th as r ushi s-Tr it oli w re Plat int rp e b tweenthe sets of cushioning-plates and the draw-bar and yoke, andspacing-plates interposed between and in contact with the folower-platesand the centers of the sets of cushioning-plates.

. 2. The combination with shouldered draftirons and a draw-bar providedwith a yoke, of a plurality of sets of spring cushioningplates arrangedin airs, the sets constituting such pairs being 0 like stifiness and thesets in the difierent airs difiering in stiflness,

sliding spacinglocks interposed between and in contact with the'ends ofthe two sets of cushioning-plates of each pair, followerplatesinterposed between the external sets of cushioning-plates and thedraw-bar and yoke, and interposed spacing-plates having caring contactwith the centers of the sets cpnstituting each pair and with thefollowerates. v v p 3. The combination with shouldered draftirons anda,draw-bar provided with a yoke, of two like sets of spring cushioninplates, sliding spacing blocks interposed 'etwee'n and in contact withthe ends of the two sets of cus g-plates, two sets of spring \follower-pates interposed between the sets of cushioning-plates and the ends ofthmdrawbar and yoke, and spacing-plates interposed between and bearingon the centers of the IIO sets of cushioning-plates and the sets ofspring follower-plates.

4. The combinationwith-shouldered draft irons and adraw-bar providedwith a oke,

of two like sets of spring GUShiODJIli-P ates, sliding spacing -blocksinterposed etween and in contact with the ends of thetwo sets:

of cushioning-plates, spring follower-plates interposed between sets ofcushioning-plates In testimony that I claim the foregoing as and theends of the draw bar and yoke, and my invention 1 aflix my signature, inpresence 10 spacing-plates interposed between and beerof two Witnesses,this 22d day of May, A. D. ing on the centers of the sets of oushioning-1905.

plates and the sets of follower-plates, the JAMES MILTON VVAUGU.shoulders on the draft-irons engaged by the Witnesses:

spring follower-plates being, inclined or bev- C. CLARENCE POOLE,

eled. 1. R. VVILKINS.

